Retiring director says borough's park was 'always a part of my life'

Saturday

Sep 8, 2012 at 12:01 AMSep 8, 2012 at 12:15 AM

By Louise CarrollLedger Correspondent

Joe Cioffi can credit his parents for instilling a love of the outdoors.

He was only 10 months old in 1938, when his parents took him to Ewing Park in Ellwood City. A photo they snapped of their son shows him sitting on a blanket by the main shelter, obviously enjoying a sunny day.

“I don’t remember when that was taken, but the park was always a part of my life, and I have many memories of times in the park,” Cioffi said.

He remembers riding his bike from West End to Ewing Park and playing Little League baseball. Later, he was head lifeguard at the pool and pool manager for two years.

As an adult, he managed the park’s activities as the borough’s director of parks and recreation, a job he assumed in 2006. But Cioffi is retiring from the post.

“I think it is time to just enjoy. I’m going to be 75 and it is time for no commitment,” he said.

Cioffi was borough manager for 4½ years before becoming director of parks and recreation. He left the borough manager’s job because he wanted to spend more time in Florida. But since the park director’s job is April to October, that was a good fit.

As director of parks and recreation, Cioffi was responsible for 64 acres, which includes Ewing Park, Stiefle Park, the playgrounds, Merit Book Field, Legion Park and the Nature Trail.

He managed the park on a $115,000 budget.

Cioffi said maintenance is ongoing. Recently, the basketball courts were rebuilt and the soccer field was upgraded. In Ewing Park, there are nine shelters with approximately 200 reservations a year. The Kids Created Kingdom and the Toddler Kingdom attract many people. In the summer, there are about 40 children a day at the playground and they are served lunch. There are 80 picnic tables and many benches that must all be maintained, he said.

Many special events take place in the park, including the annual Ellwood City Arts, Crafts and Food Festival, Easter egg hunt, Christmas in the Park, Earth Day and Storytelling Festival.

“All of our ball fields are lighted and that is unusual,” Cioffi said. “The baseball field was one of the first fields lighted anywhere in the late ‘50s and the first lights were obtained from Forbes Field when it was torn down.”

Cioffi played Little League baseball at the park and was on the first championship team in 1950. His coach was Dick Friedhoff and the Little League field is named for him. Bud Campbell and Bill Spellman were also influences in his life.

Cioffi went on to play semi-pro baseball with Rocco’s Construction in 1958.

Baseball remains one of the loves of his life. At his winter home in Bradenton, Fla., he is a host at Pirates training camp and part of the Pirates Fantasy Camp the last week in January.

Cioffi has always been a supporter of his hometown; his business cards have this motto: “Ellwood City, a nice place to call home.”

“Growing up in Ellwood City was great. The support of my parents, and family molded my ideas,” Cioffi said. “My youth was enjoyable. I remember fun at the West End playground, the swimming pool, Nick’s Pizza in Ewing Park and the Shuffle Shop where the Circle Playground is now.”

He attended elementary school at Holy Redeemer.

Cioffi is a member of the Civil Service Commission and will remain on the board. Council will appoint the next parks and recreation manager.

Cioffi was a teacher, counselor and an administrator at different schools, including the Blackhawk School District in Chippewa Township and in Clarion, Pa., but he never moved. He commuted to his jobs. He and his wife, Mary Jo Fazioli Cioffi, continue to live in Ellwood City when they aren’t in Florida.

“I like the small-town atmosphere. We have the best of both worlds here. We are just a half hour from Pittsburgh or Youngstown and all the things they have to offer,” Cioffi said.

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